A forecast that calls for rain on your wedding day probably strikes fear in the hearts of most engaged couples. Unfortunately, you cannot control what the weather gods will dish out to you on that fateful day. But if it does look like inclement weather is imminent, there are a few things you can do ahead of time to help you best deal with things. From scouting indoor photo locations in advance to having a backup hair style in mind, here are our best tips for preparing for a rainy wedding day.
Stock up on cute umbrellas.
Before you click “add to cart,” chat with your photographer or wedding planner. They may already have an arsenal of umbrellas that you can borrow for the day! Otherwise, you will want to get enough for your crew if you plan on being outside for photos or any extended length of time. The clear dome umbrella is always a popular choice because it keeps you dry without obstructing your face so you can still get those adorable newlywed portraits despite the drizzle.
Form a plan B with your hair & makeup team.
Of course rain can put a damper on your best laid beauty plans, but even just the humidity before or after a rain storm might make you want to rethink your big day look. If your original plan was to wear your hair down, you might want or need to reconsider an updo. Chat with your hair stylist to come up with an alternate style that will withstand the elements. Likewise, your makeup artist should be sure to use a setting spray to make that fresh face last no matter what Mother Nature throws at you. If your face does get wet from the rain (or even those happy tears!), remember to blot, never wipe!
Have a backup plan with your venue.
If ANY part of your wedding day is supposed to take place outdoors, you must must must have an indoor backup plan in place from the very beginning stages of planning. This could include moving events indoors or renting a tent. But what you absolutely do not want to do is just cross your fingers and pray for good weather that day, leaving things up to chance. Ask your venue what their inclement weather options are well before the big day so that you can set those plans in motion as soon as you see that a not so favorable forecast might be in your future.
Ask your photographer about indoor photo ops.
If the thought of standing outside under an umbrella (even if it’s a cute one) and having your photo taken doesn’t sound like a good time to you, chat with your photographer about indoor locations for portraits. As wedding professionals in a city whose weather is as unpredictable as Pittsburgh’s is, they deal with this sort of thing all the time. We are willing to bet they know of some really cool hidden gem spots for photos or that they can work their photographer magic to turn a seemingly ordinary indoor location into a magical photo of you.
Allow for extra travel time.
Rainy weather can sometimes make driving conditions unsafe. Work with your transportation provider to ensure that adequate driving time is being allotted to get you from point A to point B on time and safely! This may mean you need to adjust departure times for guest shuttles or you and your wedding party. The last thing you want to be on your wedding day is late. Leaving just five minutes behind schedule can throw an entire timeline off or mean that you have to cut time elsewhere. Do yourself a favor and work a buffer into the transportation schedule!
Know your dress may take a beating.
The wet streets, mud, and grime from a rainy day may wreak havoc on your wedding dress. Whether you are just walking around downtown taking a few photos or kicking up your heels on a muddy farm for your reception, expect to see some stains. You may want to consider bustling your dress earlier than you had intended to in order to save it some wear and tear. The best chance of getting those stains out is to send it to one of Pittsburgh’s best wedding dress cleaners for cleaning (and preservation, if that interests you!) as soon after the wedding as possible. Don’t let those stains set or they’ll be harder to remove!
Roll with it.
Some things are just out of your control and the weather on your wedding day is one of them. Try not to let the bad weather put too much of a damper on your wedding day. We promise it will still be beautiful, your guests will still have an amazing time, and you’ll still be married at the end of the day – which really is the most important thing of all, right?
